Chapter 3
Nick sipped his coffee and looked out over the tattered nursery. Dark green cloth covered the nursery’s frame, letting only bits of light through. Nick found it depressing, as if a negative pall had fallen over the place. He couldn’t honestly understand what Sophie saw in it, except for the location—those beautiful hills beyond. He’d hiked Bennett Peak ever since he could remember. Those were happy days.
He continued to look for something that would explain why Sophie loved it so much. The state of disrepair would certainly telegraph to anyone that the nursery was a financial failure. He thought it was odd that now she was finally going to do the right thing, now that she was dying.
Sis, you should have done it sooner. You could have had a life.
But he knew that line of thinking was off-purpose. It wouldn’t help him navigate the shoals of his own feelings where the deaths of his parents lay stuck upon the shore. Sophie had been his lifeline whenever he felt morose or defeated in spirit. No matter where he went, his sister was always the one he came home to, and now he would be completely alone.
Better buck up and get used to it. You can’t afford distractions. Distractions get you killed. Make you do stupid things.
He walked under the shade, brushing the tops of green and red lettuce starts with the tips of his fingers. He looked at chrysanthemums getting ready to burst forth in fall colors of burgundy, gold and yellow. Fruit trees were beginning to lose their leaves. Rose leaves were yellowed and the roses sparse, crumbling in his fingers as he touched them.
He turned to face the opened doorway of the nursery office, and could barely make out Devon’s red suit glowing from the shadows inside. Something about her brought out the worst in him. He had to admit, he’d been a complete dick. Yes, she had caught him in a lighter moment, washing dishes, and singing, no less, trying to get his mind off his sister’s illness and her future demise, but damn, she had to go rub his nose in it. He definitely was off his game when it came to women these days. And this one had him questioning his own abilities.
The pea gravel walkways crunched under the weight of his canvas slip-ons. Several plant flats were dried and wilted already, and Nick concluded Sophie had not done her morning watering. He found the overhead sprayer turned on the water and gave a good soak to the lettuces and the cole crops of broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage first, then went down the rows of other vegetables, annual flowers and some groundcover flats. The air was warming up, so he removed his shirt and worked in his cargo pants.
Next he watered the roses and several fruit trees that looked nearly dead.
He found the musty smell of the wet soil oddly pleasant. After spending months in sandy places overseas, wishing for a swimming pool or long hot, private bath, he enjoyed the sight and smell of the green vegetation before him, covered in droplets of life-giving water.
He turned around and found Devon leaning against the doorframe of the office, arms crossed, eyeing him. He returned to his watering and let her look. He wasn’t embarrassed this time. He told himself to ignore her completely and not try to read anything into the little gesture.
Women are dangerous.
Devon watched at the manly specimen before her. Now he was not only sucking the air out of the room, but he had managed to suck the air out of the whole valley. His huge tanned shoulders and muscled arms hoisted the hose and showered water over everything. He took his time. He was meticulous, filling every dry spot with moisture. She could only imagine what kind of exquisite care a man like this could give a woman, if he were of the mind to. If she’d let him.
He was clearly not the man she’d expected, washing dishes and brewing coffee. And now he was tending the dying garden of her best friend. She wished she could help her friend in much the same way. But those days were gone and those words of regret and apology had been spoken, and now it was the end of things. End of their relationship. With Sophie gone, Devon realized she’d have no one.
He’d been smiling when he turned around and caught her watching him. He’d told her he liked watching her too, but of course she’d rejected him, and the idea. But now, just the way he turned back to his work the light dancing through the fine water mist in the greenhouse, watching this hunk of a guy tend to his sister’s heart project, the thought he might like to watch her seemed just fine.
Sighing, she removed her jacket, unbuttoning each button slowly as she watched him. He was extra attentive to the flora. Devon guessed he didn’t really care if she watched him or not. Or, maybe he just didn’t notice.
She laid the red jacket over a wire table. Her white shell underneath was damp from the heat. She blew down her front, holding the thin material between her thumb and forefinger, fluttering it, sending little waves of cool air to her face and then walked outside in his direction.
She felt like she was a moth to the flame. He was the first man she’d ever met that literally pulled her in his direction. The hissing of the silver droplets of water mesmerized her. Watching the cords of muscles flex and extend under his smooth flesh made the tats seem like cartoon characters that had come to life. It also made her want to touch him.
She was within four feet of him when he turned quickly and sprayed her with water. She jumped, looking down at the way her shell clung to her skin, revealing her white lace bra underneath. Then she saw her favorite pair of red patent leather shoes covered in droplets of water. She was headed straight for anger, having felt he surely did the maneuver on purpose. But he stopped her.
He’d released the hose, but it was still spraying everywhere, including getting her with a second wave.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t know you were there.” He was searching for a towel or something to dry her off and found a dirty rag. She got her heels unstuck from the muddy gravel ground and backed up with her hands out in front of her.
“No. Stay away. I’m fine.”
Like hell she was? Her favorite shoes were ruined, her hair and chest-soaking wet. She must have looked like a drowned rat. He’d humiliated her. And now he was going to try to make some lame excuse it was an accident?
Mister Masterful. Bull shit.
She didn’t trust his pained expression. This overly-confident-testosterone-stuffed-performance-enhanced-self-proclaimed superhero was mean to women. That was a fact. He didn’t play fair. And here, she’d been about to apologize to him for being such a cold bitch. She would never utter an I’m sorry in his presence.
Ever.
She nearly made it across the driveway to the office when Sophie arrived in her Subaru station wagon. But she wasn’t driving. Some guy with arms almost as big as Nick’s was at the wheel. Sophie slowly got out of the car on the passenger side, and leaned against it. She was out of breath and very pale.
But she smiled that little wicked smile she used to do when she was well. The smile that told Devon they were about to have an adventure, or get into trouble, or do something they’d laugh about for years.
“I see you’ve begun to play with my brother. Don’t try to take him down. He’s bigger.”
Nick was having trouble turning off the water in the nursery. The faucet handle had dropped to the ground. Water spewed everywhere. He swore as the hose seemed to have a mind of its own and began to walk like a cobra, drenching him and everything around him. He finally found a wrench and shut off the valve, hanging the limp hose on the overhead spray rig. He emerged soaking wet, shaking his head.
The other guy was having a hard time containing himself. He began to howl, doubling over.
“You shut the f*ck up,” Nick said, pointing his index finger at him.
The other guy was really enjoying this. “Leave you alone with a woman, and what do you do? Make a damned fool of yourself.”
Nick glared at him.
“Never thought I’d see the day when a hose would get the better of you.”
Devon’s anger subsided a bit as she saw how her attacker be the brunt of so much laughter. She almost could enjoy watching it, seeing how embarrassed he was. Some small revenge.
Devon carefully helped Sophie into the house without getting her too wet, while the two men stood outside. She could hear Nick trying to explain himself. Every other word was damn, f*ck or freaking.
“So, you two are alone for an hour, and you immediately get into a water fight. Just like when we were kids.”
“No, Sophie. It wasn’t like that. He—”
“He likes you. Can’t you see that?”
“What? He just sprayed me with water.”
Sophie sighed and sat on a chair at the table, but her dark purple lips were involuntarily smiling. “Don’t you remember grammar school? There was this one Sunday at church. My friend and I were swinging in the yard between services. These two boys we liked pelted us with plums. Stained our dresses and made us cry. We ran in to tell our teacher who laughed and said, “Don’t you know that’s all boys know how to do at this age? This means they like you.”
It was good to see Sophie laugh. It had been awhile. Devon dared a quick glance out to the parking lot as Nick was wicking away water on his chest with a rag. She still couldn’t keep her eyes off him.
Sophie had followed her gaze. “Give him a chance. He’s the best thing since the Fourth of July.” With a wink she put her palm to Devon’s cheek. “Just a chance. Let him show you what he’s really made of.”
Before she could respond to her best friend, the two men entered the room.
“Ah, Devon,” Sophie began, “want you to meet Nick’s friend, Marc Beale. He’s also one of the guys from SEAL Team 3,” Sophie motioned to Marc, who stepped forward, bowed his head slightly.
“Nice to meet you, ma’am.”
“Ma’am?” Devon sputtered. Nick’s presence was flustering her.
Everyone backed up a step. Sophie rose to get a glass of water at the sink. Devon realized she’d perhaps been a tad loud. But her mouth was running like a wild horse and she was powerless to stop it.
“That’s what they used to call my mom,” she ranted. Devon knew she was doing the crash and burn, but she didn’t care. “Do I look that old?” It came out of Devon’s mouth before she had a chance to swallow it. But instead of being offended, they laughed.
“She’s a hellcat, Nick. No wonder you sprayed her with water. I’d have done worse,” Marc said as he winked at her.
“I didn’t—“
“Enough with all this child’s play,” Sophie interjected. “You guys are totally juvenile. Quit it.” She took several sips of water and swallowed painfully.
What could anyone say to her?
Sophie set her glass down on the drain board and returned to the table. “Although this has given me some fun this afternoon. Something to break up the doom and gloom, but it’s time for getting real.” Sophie strained on every word. “Get yourselves something to drink and then we need to have a talk.”
Devon watched as Nick’s hands immediately fisted and his jaw clenched.
Marc spoke up. “You need anything at the store? I can go run an errand for you, since I’m not really part of this little meeting.”
Devon found his cheerful demeanor irritating.
“Sis, why don’t you just put up the closed sign and we’ll walk back to the house, if you’re up to it.” Nick offered.
“No, I like Marc’s plan. I haven’t died yet, and I sure as hell am still open for business. I need some tequila and I’m afraid I have no beer. You want to pick up something like a pizza, too?” She glanced over at Devon. “But you better bring a salad for Devon, here.”
Nick helped his sister sit down. “Sophie, you’re not supposed to drink with the chemo.”
“Well, that’s what I got to talk to you two about.” With a great deal of pain, she was helped to her chair, where she laced her fingers between themselves, resting her elbows on the plank table.
“Sophie, let me go get some things. You don’t have to pay for any of this,” Devon said.
“Hell, I was hoping my brother would take care of the tab.”
“You got it, Soph,” Nick answered.
“And unless Marc knows about property values in Sonoma County, I think you better stay here and tell me what I can get for the place. If you’re ready, that is.”
Devon hadn’t been thinking. Of course, this was the reason for the little meeting today. How stupid she must seem. “Yes. Completely. Ready.”
“That was really nice, Devon, but Marc and I will cover this. Maybe another time—“ Nick’s eyes were soft and his voice sent a chill down Devon’s spine.
“I’m off. Your keys to the beast, Nick?” Marc was nervously swaying from foot to foot.
“There’s a shopping center down Bennett Valley Road about four miles. There’s a pizza parlor there, as well as Chinese and Mexican, and a grocery store. Go knock yourself out.” Nick also gave him a couple of twenties.
Marc whispered something Devon couldn’t understand and then left.
Devon sat across the table from Sophie with Nick seated at her right. She asked Nick to brew some fresh coffee. When he returned to the table with the steaming mugs, Sophie began.
“The doctor told me today my lymphoma is advancing at a rapid pace. My chemo was ended a month ago. I guess he was hoping the markers would go down, as they sometimes do. I’m not one of the lucky ones. The cancer is raging very aggressively.”
Nick leaned in and grabbed Sophie’s hands in his big paw. Devon could tell he wanted to say something, but couldn’t.
“I’m going to list the property for sale with you, Devon. Ideally, it would sell before I pass on. That way I can sell it to someone I like, someone who will continue my work here, not that a*shole next door. But if not, I’d like you to handle it when I’m up in that big nursery in the sky, and distribute the profits, if there are any.”
“Come on, Sophie. Don’t do that. There’s plenty of time. The market has gotten very strong lately.”
“I’m not sure,” Sophie said. “I’m just making plans now for every eventuality.”
“Well that’s nonsense, but it’s your call. We can do some advanced planning. Just let me know who you want as beneficiaries, and I’ll get instructions to escrow drawn up by the title company I use. You do have a will, right?”
“Yes.”
“Good, I’ll need to show a copy of it to title so your wishes can be carried out to the letter. All we have to do now is determine the value and get it on the market.”
“Good. But before we begin, I want both of you to understand three requirements I have. I’ve given it a lot of thought.”
Nick looked away out the window. Devon saw his massive chest rising and falling, heard the hitch in his breath and knew he was struggling with his emotions.
“I’m not sure there is any equity in this property. But if there is, I want to leave it to both of you.”
Devon looked at Nick, who looked just as confused.
“Sophie, you should leave it to family. Nick’s your only living relative. I’m just your friend, and I will handle the sale for you. But you don’t have to leave me anything. That wouldn’t be right.”
“I disagree. You’ve been there for me all throughout my illness. Even before I became ill. I want to say thank you.”
“But it isn’t necessary,” Devon began.
“It is to me. I want you and Nick to work on this together. I want you both to find the right buyer for this property.”
It began to dawn on Devon that Sophie had a plan beyond money.
“And the last part is most important of all.”
Devon had a bad feeling in her stomach about this. She couldn’t look Nick in the eyes, even though she could tell his face was turned her way.
“I want you two to date at least five times before I pass on. That’s all I ask. A real date. A dinner, picnic, whatever you want but not just coffee. You don’t have to get engaged, married, or even fall in love. But I want you two to give each other some time.”
“How can you ask this of me?” Devon began to rise.
“Stop it, Devon. Don’t take me for a fool. I know you perhaps better than anyone else around. If you want to sell my nursery, you’ll accommodate me. And it’s okay if you say no.”
“But—“
“It’s a deal-breaker for me, Devon. You either agree or I find someone else. If you’re going to abandon our friendship over this, then you weren’t the friend I thought you were.”
Nick rose as well. “Sophie, that’s nuts. Like you’re reaching from the grave to make demands.”
“That’s exactly what it is, Nick. You honestly going to stand there and deny me my deathbed request?”
Nick stared at the floor. Devon could see his lungs struggle. They stood close to one another, so close, she could feel the heat from his body.
Sophie never lied. Her eyes were dead serious and unflinching, darting between the two of them. Devon dared to glance up at the man standing to her right and damn, her panties got wet.
That was a very bad sign.